The Champions League 2025/26 league phase kicked off in September 2025, after the qualifying rounds were completed, with 36 clubs competing for the coveted trophy.
It was actually the 2024/25 season that marked a turning point in the tournament’s format. UEFA not only expanded the number of participants but also introduced a performance-based system that rewards countries whose clubs excelled in European competitions the previous year.
As a result, England and Spain secured extra spots this season, though with a difference: the Premier League has fielded six clubs, while LaLiga has five involved.
What is UEFA’s country coefficient?
The root of this difference lies in the so-called “country performance coefficient,” a ranking that measures the collective results of clubs from each league in European competition.
UEFA awarded two additional places to the leagues with the best records in the 2023/24 campaign. England and Germany benefited, which allowed the Premier League to add a sixth representative.
Spain also gained an extra spot, but combined with its four guaranteed berths as one of Europe’s top leagues, that brought the total to five. The contrast with England is due to the fact that the Europa League champion was English – a factor that freed up yet another Champions League place for the Premier League.
Why the Europa League winner matters
The second reason behind England’s six teams is Tottenham’s Europa League triumph last season. Under UEFA rules, the winner of that tournament earns an automatic Champions League berth, regardless of domestic league position.
If the champion has already qualified through its league finish, that slot is released and reassigned, raising the total number of representatives from that country.
This explains why England, for the first time, sent six clubs to the Champions League, while Spain – without a European champion adding an extra ticket – remained on five. UEFA’s new framework is designed to reward recent performance and enhance competitiveness, though it also reinforces the dominance of the biggest leagues.
Champions League 2025/26 – teams by country
England – 6
Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur
Spain – 5
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal
Italy – 4
Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Juventus
Germany – 4
Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt
France – 3
Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
Netherlands – 2
PSV Eindhoven, Ajax
Portugal – 2
Sporting CP, Benfica
Belgium – 2
Club Brugge, Union Saint-Gilloise
Greece – 1
Olympiacos
Czech Republic – 1
Slavia Prague
Turkey – 1
Galatasaray
Norway – 1
Bodø/Glimt
Denmark – 1
Copenhagen
Azerbaijan – 1
Qarabağ
Kazakhstan – 1
Kairat Almaty
Cyprus – 1
Pafos
yiackorsuz
1
Barcelona champions league
Unsungboy
0
😂😂😂😂😂 Where is Madrid
2nd despite being in such a poor run of form
AzuChelsea
0
But it looks like out of 6, only Arsenal is a real contender to win it considering how they are playing... but again they always crumble in pressure knock out matches ..💩
😂😂😂😂😂 Where is Madrid
nuhbcersuy
0
But it looks like out of 6, only Arsenal is a real contender to win it considering how they are playing... but again they always crumble in pressure knock out matches ..💩
0TiLa
nuhbcersuy
1
But it looks like out of 6, only Arsenal is a real contender to win it considering how they are playing... but again they always crumble in pressure knock out matches ..💩
ApqdlNz
Vitclmopr
0
arsenal they're good to go, but Chelsea is the team to look again
AbdulZaks008
0
we already know that since
Nadeemhasan24
2
But it looks like out of 6, only Arsenal is a real contender to win it considering how they are playing... but again they always crumble in pressure knock out matches ..💩